August 19, 2015

I'm a simple girl. No fuss, no theatrics for me when it comes to clothes. But, this simple girl loves shoes. I must confess, I'm the type of girl who would buy one dress and six different pairs of shoes to style it with. I'm not confessing to having done it... I'm just saying I would do it. Confession is good for the soul.

August 13, 2015

Growing up, blue was always my favorite color. Since adulthood, I cheated on it a few times with shades of purple and green, but after seeing the perfection that is cobalt blue in the form of a dress, I'm re-claiming my long lost color love.

I'm currently away for a wedding and enjoying a few days of relaxation in the best place on earth: my birthplace, Jamaica. Although my family migrated to South Florida when I was a very small child, my heart never left. I was always obsessed with Jamaica's rich culture and proud to be a product of it. From the food to the people to the beauty of the island... Ah yah suh nice.

August 12, 2015

If you're like me, overthinking is the norm. I overthink ev-er-y-thing, especially when I'm feeling particularly upset, excited, sad, annoyed, anxious, creative, busy, complacent, stressed... Do you see where I'm going here? My brain is always on overdrive. I hoard A LOT of thoughts and feelings in there; tons of stuff I really don't need, or that I need to release before they consumes me.Overthinking / a cluttered mind can wear you out. I haven't mastered how to calm my mind down yet, but I recently (over the last few months) got to a point where something had to give, or I was literally going to go out of my mind. I was starting to feel like what those throwback public service announcements described–(Remember? "This is your brain. [Insert visual of an egg.] This is your brain on drugs. [Insert visual of an egg being fried.]"–only I never got to escape with a high. That had to change.

There are a few practices that have always helped me during the times when my overactive mind just wouldn't calm down, but I still had to operate effectively in my many daily tasks like the rest of us. I'm sharing them here now because I've grown to embrace and appreciate them more than ever of late. My personal favorites are: (1) prayer, (2) communication, and (3) having a creative outlet.

1. PraySuggesting prayer might sound like a cliché, or an "old church mother" saying, but let me tell you, even when you don't feel like it's working, it's helping. They say, "Prayer changes things," but really it changes us. When there are some thoughts, feelings, or even situations better left unsaid, prayer is definitely worth trying out. It's low-risk (unlike sharing with people, although if in the true form of confidence, sharing with others has its unique benefits as well), and it's therapeutic. For some, meditation provides the same benefits. I recommend both. Can't hurt.

2. CommunicateFor consuming thoughts that result directly from relationships with others, we often forget the power of communication. Even if we genuinely want to communicate, we might hesitate due to fear of not getting our points across clearly, not being heard, or being looked at differently. Whatever the case may be, don't let fear stifle you. The alternative–harboring negativity, bitterness, resentment, anger, or even a positive thought that could blossom into something beautiful–is not worth it. Just ask the person or people for a listening ear before you start sharing, and pour your heart out. If it doesn't turn out as planned, you'll at least feel better about yourself for trying. Also, you can always try again.

3. Have a Creative OutletReleasing creative energy is one of my favorite ways to clear my mind and turn negativity into positivity. It's the main reason why I created this blog. I love having a space where I can be in complete creative control and have the freedom to be 100% me. Whether your creative outlet is writing, painting, dancing, creating music, or gardening, find something that you enjoy that takes you to a place where you can disconnect from reality for a while. After spending time doing something positive, it's hard to react to negative vibes again.To my over-thinkers, here's to clear minds!

August 10, 2015

I love a good solid black and white combo. It's the ideal palette to add a statement making accessory to. After recently being inspired, I chose to let my shoes do the talking. The cut as well as the pop of pink in the shoes are unexpected. They had me at "hello."

August 6, 2015

I am AMAZED, totally MIND BLOWN, that I don't look like what the heat did to me on this particular day. Every year, I have a moment when I say to myself, "I don't think I'm going to survive this summer's heat. This is it for me." Well, folks... I've said it more than a hand full of times already, and we're barely at the half-way mark. For us South Floridians, summer lasts about 9 months. By my calculation, we've got about 4.5 more months to go. Pray my strength.

To the outfit: Three wardrobe essentials that never fail–a white shirt, distressed denim, and lace up heels–came together to make up this simple, yet casual-chic look. I'm telling you–if all you have are the basics, you're more than half way towards building your dream wardrobe. Even if your personal style is more vibrant and colorful than mine, a few key pieces to build from are necessary if you're also trying to attain a closet that functional from the jump.

August 5, 2015

Recently, I've shared my thoughts on how to develop a personal style. Whether you're building a foundation to achieve the sense of style you can call your own or simply in need of tips on how to maximize your closet, I recommend 15 wardrobe essentials that will never do you wrong.

August 3, 2015

I thought I'd brighten things up around here with some color in the form of a vibrant yellow dress. In true "Typhanie" style, though, I opted to mellow it out by styling it with neutrals black and grey. Trust me to make the brightest of colors meek and mild.

August means fall is just around the corner; a season that changes nothing for Floridians unless you're into fashion. Yellow is the perfect transition color for this time of year. Get with it, and shop yellow this month.